Back in the mid-1980s, a group of young Hollywood stars burst onto the scene with a series of unforgettable coming-of-age movies. Fans quickly gave them the nickname "The Brat Pack," and now, as a new documentary about them is set to release, people are wondering: Are these former screen legends still friends today? Let's dive into their story and see how their lives have evolved over the years.
Meet the Stars Who Made Up the Original Brat Pack
In 1985, the film St. Elmo’s Fire brought together a lineup of young actors who would become iconic figures in '80s cinema. This group included Rob Lowe, Emilio Estevez, Demi Moore, Ally Sheedy, Judd Nelson, and Andrew McCarthy. Their movie focused on a group of Georgetown University graduates navigating the challenges of life after college. It wasn't just a film—it was a cultural moment that resonated with audiences worldwide.
The Brat Pack wasn't just limited to the cast of St. Elmo’s Fire. Other notable members included Molly Ringwald and Anthony Michael Hall, who starred in classics like Sixteen Candles and The Breakfast Club. These films not only defined the era but also cemented the Brat Pack's place in pop culture history. For example, Andrew McCarthy paired up with Molly Ringwald in Pretty in Pink, a movie that introduced a young Jon Cryer to the world.
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How Did the Brat Pack Get Their Famous Nickname?
The term "Brat Pack" was inspired by the legendary Rat Pack of the 1950s and '60s, a group that included Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., and Joey Bishop. These were some of the biggest names in entertainment at the time, dominating film, television, and Las Vegas stages.
According to Andrew McCarthy, the nickname "Brat Pack" was first used by journalist David Blum in a 1985 New York magazine article about Emilio Estevez. David wasn’t particularly fond of Emilio and wrote a critical piece about the young actors, labeling them the Brat Pack. "It was a really negative term," Andrew recalled during a July 2023 interview on the "Inside Of You with Michael Rosenbaum" podcast. "We all hated it at the time, and it had a significant impact on our careers."
Despite its origins, the name stuck, becoming a defining label for these actors and their era. It’s a reminder of how media can shape public perception, for better or worse.
Are the Brat Pack Members Still Close Today?
Fast forward to today, and the story of the Brat Pack is more about individual journeys than a cohesive group. While some members went on to achieve immense success, others found their fame tied primarily to those early films. After St. Elmo’s Fire, most of them went their separate ways, focusing on their careers and personal lives, including raising families.
Interestingly, Andrew McCarthy, Ally Sheedy, Demi Moore, and Jon Cryer reunited recently at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 7, 2024, for the premiere of Brats, a new Hulu documentary. However, Judd Nelson opted out of participating. In a March 2024 interview with Us Weekly, Judd explained his decision: "I don’t even know who’s officially part of the Brat Pack. Why bring something back that wasn’t necessarily fun in the first place?"
Judd also revealed that he hadn’t seen his former co-stars in over three decades, adding, "It feels strange to turn that into edited entertainment. Andrew’s a great guy, but I haven’t seen him in 35 years. It just doesn’t make sense to pretend otherwise."
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